For many Mississippi families, private school feels financially out of reach. However new research shows that private education may be more affordable than most people think—and that smart policy could make it accessible to thousands more students.
Research conducted by Empower Mississippi reveals that the average tuition for private schools varies from approximately $6,710 for elementary students to around $7,240 for high school students. But even those numbers are somewhat skewed, influenced by a few schools in the Jackson area that have reported tuition exceeding $15,000. When private schools in Hinds, Rankin, and Madison Counties are factored out, average tuition rates fall to $6,240 for high school students.
To get a more realistic picture of private school costs, it’s more instructive to consider median tuition rates. Simply stated, the median is the “middle point” of the data, meaning half of the schools surveyed charge more in tuition and half charge less. Notably, median tuition rates are lower than the statewide average, ranging from $6,180 for elementary students to $6,460 for high school students.
Why is this information important? Well, all of Mississippi’s neighboring states have created programs to help more families afford private school if their assigned public school is not meeting their needs. These programs, often referred to as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), offer parents access to part or all of the amount the state would otherwise allocate towards that student’s education in a public school. The money is set aside in an account that parents may use for private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, transportation, and more. These programs aim to remove the financial barrier of attending private school, thereby ensuring that more students can receive an education tailored to their individual needs.
For the sake of this analysis, let’s assume Mississippi offered families $6,800 through an ESA program, which is about the same amount per student the state, on average, is sending to local school districts for children in public schools this year. It’s also roughly the same amount Arkansas provides through its Education Freedom Account program. A $6,800 ESA would fully cover tuition costs at more than half of the Mississippi private schools for which we obtained tuition data. Even in cases where this funding wouldn’t completely cover tuition, it would make those schools significantly more affordable. Parents could make up the difference, or the schools could create a need-based financial aid fund to support those for whom tuition was still out of reach. 
This research indicates that a private school choice program, like ESAs, could transform private education into a realistic and feasible option for many families across Mississippi who currently find it cost prohibitive. With the right policy, private education could move from being a luxury for a few to an opportunity for many.
Mississippi’s children deserve the chance to find the school that fits them best—not just the one assigned by their zip code. The question now is whether our state will give parents the tools to make that choice as all our neighboring states have done.
About the Data
Empower Mississippi gathered tuition information by surveying 93 private schools throughout the state and receiving responses (or obtaining the information from their websites) from 86.
| School | City | County | Median Household Income | Pre – K | K | Elem | Middle | High | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County Christian School | Natchez | Adams | $40,250.00 | $5,462.50 | $6,032.50 | $6,032.50 | $6,507.50 | $6,507.50 | |||||
| Cathedral Catholic School | Natchez | Adams | $40,250.00 | $5,800.00 | $6,800.00 | $6,800.00 | $7,100.00 | $7,100.00 | |||||
| Amite School Center | Liberty | Amite | $35,385.00 | $5,250.00 | $5,250.00 | $5,250.00 | $5,250.00 | $5,250.00 | |||||
| Centreville Academy | Centreville | Amite | $35,385.00 | $5,460.00 | $5,460.00 | $5,460.00 | $5,460.00 | $5,460.00 | |||||
| Bayou Academy | Cleveland | Bolivar | $37,315.00 | $6,050.00 | $6,250.00 | $6,650.00 | $6,850.00 | $6,900.00 | |||||
| Lee Academy | Clarksdale | Coahoma | $36,259.00 | $6,996.00 | $6,996.00 | 1 | only 7th – 12th | ||||||
| Presbyterian Day | Cleveland | Bolivar | $37,315.00 | $5,525.00 | $5,525.00 | $5,525.00 | |||||||
| Calhoun Academy | Calhoun City | Calhoun | $43,942.00 | $3,550.00 | $3,550.00 | $4,550.00 | $4,550.00 | $4,550.00 | |||||
| Carroll Academy | Carrollton | Carroll | $55,275.00 | $4,500.00 | $5,100.00 | $5,100.00 | $5,200.00 | $5,200.00 | |||||
| Hebron Christian School | Pheba | Clay | $39,904.00 | $3,200.00 | $3,200.00 | $4,750.00 | $4,750.00 | $4,750.00 | |||||
| Oak Hill Academy | West Point | Clay | $39,904.00 | $5,950.00 | $5,950.00 | $5,950.00 | $5,950.00 | $5,950.00 | |||||
| Presbyterian Day | Clarksdale | Coahoma | $36,259.00 | $3,663.00 | $5,735.00 | $5,732.00 | |||||||
| St. Elizabeth | Clarksdale | Coahoma | $36,259.00 | $3,838.00 | $3,838.00 | $3,838.00 | |||||||
| Copiah Educational Foundation | Gallman | Copiah | $47,994.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | |||||
| Sacred Heart School | Southhaven | DeSoto | $82,980.00 | $7,894.00 | $7,894.00 | $7,894.00 | $7,894.00 | ||||||
| Innova Prep | Hattiesburg | Forrest | $52,821.00 | $9,300.00 | $9,300.00 | $9,300.00 | $9,300.00 | ||||||
| New Horizons Academy | Lucedale | George | $54,822.00 | $3,600.00 | $3,600.00 | $3,600.00 | $3,600.00 | ||||||
| Kirk Academy | Grenada | Grenada | $47,998.00 | $4,840.00 | $5,240.00 | $6,240.00 | $6,340.00 | $6,500.00 | |||||
| Christian Collegiate Academy | Gulfport | Harrison | $57,233.00 | $6,400.00 | $6,400.00 | $6,400.00 | $6,400.00 | $6,400.00 | |||||
| Hope Academy | Gulfport | Harrison | $57,233.00 | $6,550.00 | $6,550.00 | $6,550.00 | $6,550.00 | ||||||
| Central Hinds | Raymond | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $6,328.00 | $6,684.00 | $6,684.00 | $6,684.00 | $6,684.00 | |||||
| Clinton Christian | Clinton | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $5,530.00 | $5,686.00 | $6,404.00 | $6,728.00 | $7,052.00 | |||||
| First Pres | Jackson | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $6,250.00 | $9,750.00 | $10,250.00 | |||||||
| Hillcrest Christian | Jackson | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $4,500.00 | $6,900.00 | $6,900.00 | $7,200.00 | $7,200.00 | |||||
| Jackson Academy | Jackson | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $9,600.00 | $10,740.00 | $12,780.00 | $15,300.00 | $17,940.00 | |||||
| Mt. Salus Christian School | Clinton | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $5,600.00 | $5,600.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,600.00 | $6,600.00 | |||||
| Providence Christian | Clinton | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $9,800.00 | $9,800.00 | $9,800.00 | $9,800.00 | $9,800.00 | |||||
| Sister Thea Bowman Catholic | Jackson | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 | |||||||
| St. Richard | Jackson | Hinds | $49,966.00 | $7,275.00 | $9,750.00 | $9,750.00 | |||||||
| Central Holmes | Lexington | Holmes | $29,434.00 | $4,995.00 | $4,995.00 | $4,995.00 | $4,995.00 | $4,995.00 | |||||
| Gateway Christian Pascagoula | Pascagoula | Jackson | $64,756.00 | $5,250.00 | $6,050.00 | $6,350.00 | |||||||
| Sylva Bay | Bay Springs | Jasper | $47,157.00 | $4,200.00 | $4,200.00 | $4,200.00 | $4,200.00 | $4,200.00 | |||||
| Prentiss Christian | Prentiss | Jeff Davis | $37,183.00 | $4,800.00 | $4,800.00 | $4,800.00 | $4,800.00 | $4,800.00 | |||||
| Laurel Christian | Laurel | Jones | $51,143.00 | $3,500.00 | $5,200.00 | $5,200.00 | $6,100.00 | $6,100.00 | |||||
| Kemper Academy | Dekalb | Kemper | $43,595.00 | $4,150.00 | $4,150.00 | $4,150.00 | $4,150.00 | $4,150.00 | |||||
| Regents School of Oxford | Oxford | Lafayette | $64,334.00 | $9,850.00 | $9,850.00 | $9,850.00 | $10,800.00 | $10,800.00 | |||||
| Benedict Day School | Sumrall | Lamar | $69,106.00 | $8,400.00 | $8,400.00 | $8,900.00 | |||||||
| Lamar Christian School | Purvis | Lamar | $69,106.00 | $3,975.00 | $5,350.00 | $5,350.00 | $5,350.00 | $5,350.00 | |||||
| Lamar School | Meridian | Lauderdale | $50,033.00 | $5,736.00 | $7,836.00 | $7,836.00 | $8,688.00 | $8,688.00 | |||||
| St. Patrick | Meridian | Lauderdale | $50,033.00 | $4,600.00 | $4,910.00 | $4,910.00 | |||||||
| Leake Academy | Madden | Leake | $48,418.00 | $4,604.00 | $4,604.00 | $4,604.00 | $4,604.00 | $4,604.00 | |||||
| Leflore Christian School | Greenwood | Leflore | $33,188.00 | $4,800.00 | $4,800.00 | $4,800.00 | |||||||
| Pillow Academy | Greenwood | Leflore | $33,188.00 | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 | $7,280.00 | $7,335.00 | $7,335.00 | |||||
| Brookhaven Academy | Brookhaven | Lincoln | $48,316.00 | $6,420.00 | $6,420.00 | $6,420.00 | $6,420.00 | $6,420.00 | |||||
| Annunciation Catholic School | Columbus | Lowndes | $54,460.00 | $7,155.00 | $7,155.00 | $7,155.00 | $7,155.00 | $7,155.00 | |||||
| Columbus Christian Academy | Steens | Lowndes | $54,460.00 | $3,400.00 | $4,400.00 | $6,225.00 | $6,225.00 | $6,225.00 | |||||
| Heritage Academy | Columbus | Lowndes | $54,460.00 | $6,550.00 | $6,750.00 | $7,475.00 | $7,875.00 | $7,950.00 | |||||
| Canton Academy | Canton | Madison | $78,794.00 | $4,825.75 | $4,825.75 | $6,923.89 | $6,923.89 | $6,923.89 | |||||
| Christ Covenant School | Ridgeland | Madison | $78,794.00 | $5,750.00 | $7,575.00 | $9,470.00 | $10,500.00 | $10,500.00 | |||||
| MRA | Madison | Madison | $78,794.00 | $9,180.00 | $10,780.00 | $11,900.00 | $12,810.00 | $12,810.00 | |||||
| St. Andrews | Ridgeland | Madison | $78,794.00 | $17,600.00 | $17,600.00 | $21,390.00 | $23,100.00 | $24,280.00 | |||||
| St. Anthony Catholic | Madison | Madison | $78,794.00 | $9,900.00 | $9,900.00 | $9,900.00 | |||||||
| St. Augustine | Ridgeland | Madison | $78,794.00 | $3,850.00 | $4,450.00 | $5,400.00 | $6,400.00 | $7,900.00 | |||||
| Tri County Academy | Flora | Madison | $78,794.00 | $5,418.00 | $6,630.00 | $6,630.00 | $6,630.00 | $6,630.00 | |||||
| Columbia Academy | Columbia | Marion | $42,320.00 | $3,922.00 | $5,831.60 | $5,831.60 | $5,831.60 | $5,831.60 | |||||
| Marshall Academy | Holly Springs | Marshall | $51,875.00 | $5,214.00 | $6,247.00 | $6,948.00 | $6,974.00 | $6,998.00 | |||||
| Newton County Academy | Decatur | Newton | $50,426.00 | $3,500.00 | $3,970.00 | $3,970.00 | $3,970.00 | $3,970.00 | |||||
| Starkville Academy | Starkville | Oktibbeha | $43,482.00 | $7,980.00 | $8,172.00 | $8,439.00 | $8,583.00 | $8,583.00 | |||||
| North Delta School | Batesville | Panola | $43,990.00 | $4,200.00 | $7,000.00 | $7,000.00 | $7,000.00 | $7,000.00 | |||||
| Heritage Christian | Picayune | Pearl River | $56,535.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |||||
| Parklane | McComb | Pike | $41,578.00 | $5,200.00 | $5,200.00 | $5,200.00 | $5,200.00 | $5,200.00 | |||||
| Delta Academy | Marks | Quitman | $32,131.00 | $2,950.00 | $3,845.00 | $4,100.00 | $4,100.00 | $4,100.00 | |||||
| Discovery Christian School | Florence | Rankin | $77,454.00 | $6,280.00 | $6,280.00 | $6,280.00 | $6,515.00 | $6,880.00 | |||||
| East Rankin | Pelahatchie | Rankin | $77,454.00 | $6,180.00 | $6,180.00 | $6,180.00 | $6,180.00 | $6,300.00 | |||||
| Hartfield | Flowood | Rankin | $77,454.00 | $7,125.00 | $8,275.00 | $8,750.00 | $9,900.00 | $10,275.00 | |||||
| Jackson Prep | Flowood | Rankin | $77,454.00 | $7,900.00 | $9,912.00 | $11,590.00 | $14,253.00 | $17,709.00 | |||||
| Park Place Christian | Pearl | Rankin | $77,454.00 | $4,440.00 | $7,080.00 | $7,080.00 | $7,392.00 | $7,392.00 | |||||
| Sharkey Issaquena Academy | Rolling Fork | Sharkey | $5,741.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $6,000.00 | |||||
| Simpson Academy | Mendenhall | Simpson | $54,111.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |||||
| Gateway Christian | Wiggins | Stone | $59,307.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 | |||||
| Indianola Academy | Indianola | Sunflower | $40,265.00 | $4,888.00 | $4,888.00 | $5,678.00 | $6,071.00 | $6,072.00 | |||||
| North Sunflower Academy | Drew | Sunflower | $40,265.00 | $4,600.00 | $4,800.00 | $5,400.00 | $5,500.00 | $5,500.00 | |||||
| Magnolia Heights | Senatobia | Tate | $63,995.00 | $3,585.00 | $7,595.00 | $8,330.00 | $8,330.00 | $8,330.00 | |||||
| Tunica Academy | Tunica | Tunica | $38,402.00 | $4,596.00 | $5,696.00 | $5,696.00 | $5,696.00 | $5,696.00 | |||||
| Porters Chapel | Vicksburg | Warren | $56,648.00 | $6,240.00 | $6,240.00 | $6,240.00 | $6,240.00 | $6,240.00 | |||||
| Vicksburg Catholic | Vicksburg | Warren | $56,648.00 | $6,850.00 | $8,050.00 | $8,050.00 | $8,720.00 | $8,720.00 | |||||
| Deer Creek School | Arcola | Washington | $40,117.00 | $5,000.00 | $5,300.00 | $6,100.00 | $6,300.00 | $6,300.00 | |||||
| Greenville Christian | Greenville | Washington | $40,117.00 | $4,800.00 | $4,800.00 | $5,300.00 | $5,800.00 | $5,800.00 | |||||
| St. Joseph | Greenville | Washington | $40,117.00 | $5,100.00 | $6,600.00 | $6,600.00 | $7,200.00 | $7,200.00 | |||||
| Washington School | Greenville | Washington | $40,117.00 | $6,864.00 | $6,864.00 | $7,560.00 | $7,860.00 | $7,860.00 | |||||
| Wayne Academy | Waynesboro | Wayne | $36,791.00 | $4,560.00 | $4,560.00 | $4,560.00 | $4,560.00 | $4,560.00 | |||||
| Wilkinson Christian | Woodville | Wilkinson | $35,930.00 | $6,716.00 | $6,716.00 | $6,716.00 | $6,716.00 | $8,959.00 | |||||
| Winston Academy | Louisville | Winston | $49,071.00 | $2,520.00 | $3,540.00 | $4,400.00 | $4,400.00 | $4,560.00 | |||||
| Benton Academy | Benton | Yazoo | $40,974.00 | $4,545.00 | $5,570.00 | $5,570.00 | $5,846.00 | $5,846.00 | |||||
| Manchester Academy | Yazoo City | Yazoo | $40,974.00 | $4,620.00 | $5,538.00 | $5,538.00 | $6,108.00 | $6,108.00 | |||||
| Presbyterian Christian School | Hattiesburg | Forrest | $52,821.00 | 8,400.00 | 8,580.00 | 8,940.00 | 9,480.00 | $9,660.00 | |||||
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